February 24, 2024

Samuel was in tune with God’s heart and felt displeased with Israel’s treatment of God and him in calling for a king. He gave them a history lesson of all God had done for them, recounting His deliverance of them beginning with their release from Egyptian captivity. Samuel reminded them of his service to them, starting as a child, and that he had never extorted or stolen their possessions. You could almost feel his broken heart through the pages of scripture. They agreed that he had done nothing wrong and knew him to be a good man. It was wheat harvest time, and to show that he still had God’s ear and how wicked they were, he asked God to send rain and thunder, and it rained that day. The people feared both God and Samuel and asked him to pray for them. 

And all the people said unto Samuel, Pray for thy servants unto the LORD thy God, that we die not: for we have added unto all our sins this evil, to ask us a king. 1 Samuel 12:19

Some who do not want Jesus to reign over them will still want his help when they are experiencing God’s wrath and will ask us to intercede on their behalf. They may despise us now and have zero respect for God, but they will want us to pray for them. It’s the perfect opportunity to show compassion so they may see how good God is. Even though the people had hurt Samuel, he still prayed for them. 

Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way: Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you. 1 Samuel 12:23-24